June 2012
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter Rite of Passage: Passing the Torch Monica Allison, CPN President Jazz Season, can you hear the music Iint’sinCedar the park? Come out and support jazz Park. The first show was held on Friday May 25th, 2012. For 12 years, the Jazz Series has been the focal point of Cedar Park on Friday nights in the summer. It is an opportunity for neighbors and friends to gather, for children to play, and for neighborhood businesses to receive new customers. We cannot stand the thought of the Jazz Series going away, but with the declining economy, we are experiencing a slowdown in the donations which keep this series going, and we need your help! We only have enough funding for seven shows this year, so would you consider a contribution to Jazz in Cedar Park? All monies raised will be used for the summer jazz series. Donations to Jazz in Cedar Park can be made by going to our website or mailing a check to CPN noting in the memo line that it is for Jazz in Cedar Park. Thank you for your continued support. The City is putting into play its Philly2035 plan. This summer we will be conducting interviews throughout the community to see what people envision for our area of West Philadelphia. Within this newsletter
you will find a paper version of the survey. We hope you will participate by filling it out online or returning the paper survey to CPN at the Calvary Community Center. We would love to receive your personal stories aside from the survey about what you love about Cedar Park. You could be featured in an upcoming newsletter. In every good organization there should be change in leadership and the time has come for me to pass the torch to our next President. Over the last four years we have accomplished much as a community. We have had fun. We have shared some losses. We have welcomed new businesses and new neighbors. Together we maintained our namesake, Cedar Park, and celebrated its centennial. We continued the tradition of jazz in the park and had wonderful fairs.
Thanks to President Monica Allison for her term of service.
As a community we have raised scholarship money for our students, fed families with our Holiday Baskets and beautified blocks within our neighborhood. We have had Meet & Greets at local restaurants to introduce you to some of the many food continued on page 2
LOVE YOUR PARK, MULCH YOUR PARK, CLEAN YOUR PARK!
Laura McHugh and Emily Kovich love to tend trees in Cedar Park.
Holman Massey loves to plant in Cedar Park.
Ezra Ali-Dow loves to pitch in and clean Cedar Park.
President’s Message continued from page 1 choices we have. In these last four years, we conversed about our vision for Baltimore Avenue and we are embarking on a City plan for 2035. In walking the neighborhood and attending events we have talked about schools, business, housing, politics, and much more. There is so much that goes into serving a community such as ours. We are a diverse community in many respects. I would like to thank our Board of Directors, both past and present, and all of our neighbors for their continued support. Without you, Cedar Park Neighbors could not do the things we do. I would like to thank the businesses along Baltimore Avenue. They have all supported the efforts of Cedar Park Neighbors and have opened their businesses to us for many occasions and have supported us financially for many of our endeavors. I would also like to thank our elected officials, who have given me the opportunity to bend their ear about this community over the last four years. I am looking forward to the many things Cedar Park Neighbors will accomplish in the future. It has truly
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CPN Newsletter
been a blessing and honor to serve as your President these last four years. And now I look forward to serving in the capacity as First Vice President. So, with this newsletter, I turn over the reins to our new President Michael Froehlich, I know that you will all welcome him with open arms. And remember...
There is always something good happening in Cedar Park!
Blooming with Harmony and Humanity: Cedar Park Jazz Fridays Return Algernong Allen, CPN Board Member edar Park is our place to relax among C varieties of trees and plants. Once again, the park’s most vibrant perennial is set to bloom. On May 25th, Cedar Park Jazz Fridays returned, blossoming with the funk-infused jazz-inspired rhythms of Dr. Ketchup to launch the season.
Cedar Park Jazz Fridays
This strange, delightful fruit of our community was seeded many years ago by jazz songstress Denise King. Each week, top-notch musicians would perform and a bucket would be passed to collect the donations which kept the shows going. After Denise decided to relocate, Cedar Park Jazz Fridays have been kept alive through the efforts and donations of Cedar Park Neighbors, its members, local businesses and generous sponsors. The event continues to grow each year. The harvest is worth the toil. Lawn chairs unfold. Blankets spread. Children wiggle and watch the spectacle of instruments and movements of musicians in awe. Daddies dance, while hip-held toddlers’ feet dangle and swing to the drum beat. Seniors tap their feet under the shade of broad tree leaves. Route 34 trolleys hum their steely harmony. Air condition-cooled automobile drivers lower their windows curiously to catch a whiff of the unique bouquet of sound and sight on the Avenue.
Cedar Park Jazz Fridays is flowered with horticulture of harmony and humanity ranging in hue, size, color, creed and culture. The beauty of this urban bucolic scene is that all of the branches of our community can share great evenings of live music together sharing smiles. Currently, there are only enough funds to schedule the series until July 13, 2012. We are actively seeking contributions and will still be passing the bucket at performances to keep the series going throughout the summer. Please consider contributing to Cedar Park Jazz. Donate by mail or through our CPN website. Cedar Park Jazz Fridays takes place every Friday in Cedar Park at 50th and Baltimore Avenue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy a pleasant evening of summer breezes, assorted selections of jazz and other musical styles, against the backdrop of our favorite park. Families and children of all ages are encouraged and welcome.
The Line Up to Date: June 22 June 29 July 6 July 13 July ?-?
Perseverance Jazz Band Budessa Brothers Mike Tyler & Friends Funk The Jazz Doctors featuring Jeannie Brooks Your donations add more dates!
Make a Difference: Give the Gift of a Lift to Philly Patient Riders ne of the greatest challenges cancer O patients face is getting transportation to and from their daily hospital treatments. Volunteers are needed to drive cancer patients to their daily treatments.
Now YOU can help! Philly Patient Ride — a collaboration of the American Cancer Society and Philly Car Share — provides free rides to patients who may have no other way of getting to their life-saving appointments. Volunteer drivers (who use Philly Car Share cars at no cost) are needed for daytime hours — Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record, and attend a brief training orientation. Drivers may volunteer as little or as often as they wish. For a rewarding experience, give the “gift of a lift” for a few hours a month or week and make a big difference in the life of a cancer patient. For more information or to sign up, contact Jamie.McCann@cancer.org or call (215) 895-5359.
DO THE BALTIMORE AVENUE DOLLAR STROLL hird Thursdays in July, August and T September are the days to stroll Baltimore Avenue from 42nd to 50th Streets and pick up deals for a dollar. CPN will set up a table outside of Calvary
Center at 48th and Baltimore. If you can volunteer to staff the table on July 19th, August 16th or September 20th between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., let us know by emailing contact@cedarparkneighbors.org. June 2012
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Philadelphia2035: Coming Soon to a Forum Near You By David Hincher, CPN Board Member n the fall of this year, the Philadelphia City Ia district Planning Commission (PCPC) will begin planning effort for University/ Southwest Philadelphia. This is part of the Philadelphia2035 initiative that builds upon the citywide comprehensive plan and new zoning code, both adopted in 2011. The city will complete eighteen district plans over the next several years. Last year, the Planning Commission finished plans for West Park and Lower South districts and is currently working on the Central and Lower Northwest districts. The district plan is a community/public process to review all existing properties and uses towards developing recommendations for future land-use. The planning process will involve three public meetings over close to six months. PCPC has asked CPN and other community organizations to participate in the new district plan for University/Southwest Philadelphia. The district plan will look at previous community plans for input, such as the Baltimore Avenue Community Corridor Design Study that emerged from our 2010 Baltimore Conversation, as well as establish priorities for future neighborhood plans.
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To inform land-use recommendations, the Planning Commission will comprehensively review location and efficacy of City-owned facilities such as libraries, recreation centers, playgrounds, etc. to assure they are properly zoned and centrally located within neighborhoods. The district plans also inspect underutilized areas at prominent locations, such as intersections of major transit lines, and help formulate plans and appropriate zoning designations to aid in their transformation. The plan will also recommend improvements to public spaces such as streetscape landscape, storm water management, parks and plazas. To improve community health, district plans will seek to improve access to healthy foods, facilitate physical activity, and promote healthy lifestyles. Civic engagement is an important part of a district plan. For more information on the district plan for University/ Southwest Philadelphia and how to participate, go to the following web address: phila2035.org/home-page/ district/university-southwest/
Surveying The Future: Your Answers Requested By Ray Murphy, CPN Board Member any changes have taken place in M our neighborhood. We’re attracting new residents; there is increased activity from developers who are buying and fixing up blighted property; and a variety of new businesses have opened. This kind of change generates concerns about zoning, land use, parking, education, and qualityof-life issues. Cedar Park Neighbors is frequently asked to respond to these concerns. The pace of recent changes, while largely encouraging and exciting, can also be unsettling, especially as some residents may face higher property taxes. Because Cedar Park Neighbors represents all residents in our neighborhood, our Board of Directors asks for your help in determining what role to play as our neighborhood undergoes change. We’ve created a survey to get guidance from everyone who has a stake in our neighborhood. Response to this survey will help us better accomplish CPN’s mission: to advocate for the general well being of our residents and businesses, promote community development, build collaboration, respond to concerns, facilitate communication and provide education on important issues that impact Cedar Park. Survey responses will help the Cedar Park Neighbors Board determine how to best represent your desires for our community as it continues to grow. Cedar Park Neighbors will not be writing or creating a plan. The goal of collecting feedback is to guide the Board in setting priorities and to
better enable us to respond to situations as they emerge. Additionally, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission has asked Cedar Park and other community organizations to give feedback on a new district plan for Southwest Philadelphia and University City. This is part of a larger effort resulting from the new city-wide zoning code enacted in 2011. The district plan will be a community/public process to review all existing properties and to develop recommendations for future land use. In order to best represent your interests, the Board will also use survey responses to guide participation in the city’s planning process. In addition to the printed version of the survey included in this newsletter, an online survey will be emailed and will be accessible on the CPN website. Help make the survey results as meaningful and representative as possible by forwarding the survey to everyone you know in the neighborhood. The print survey will also be distributed through our network of block leaders and at public places to capture an equal amount of feedback from neighbors who do not have internet access. Based on the feedback of hundreds of neighbors, CPN hopes to be able to report back what values we all share in terms of neighborhood development. We will also be able to see where there are points of conflict. The Board can then determine what kinds of programs and activities should be put in place to address those differences.
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Please help to guide the future development of Cedar Park by filling out and returning the enclosed printed survey or the online version.
BDC INC Boston Design & Construction Co. Inc. Carpentry & General Contracting Specializing in home renovations Free estimates 610-284-0797 bdc.inc@comcast.net For samples of our work: www.bostondesignconstruction.com
March 2012
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Zoning Committee News Maureen Tate, CPN Zoning Committee he CPN Zoning Committee has been T very busy with a constant stream of local zoning issues. Committee members also attended a workshop hosted by the City Planning Commission regarding the role of community groups under the new Zoning Code. Community groups, meeting certain eligibility criteria, now must apply to the Planning Commission to serve in the role of a Registered Community Organization (RCO). CPN meets the criteria and will submit the registration application. Under the new zoning code, RCO’s will be posted on public sites that are made known to zoning applicants to facilitate communication with the local community. As an RCO, CPN will receive notification of issues pending within our boundary, have the right to appear before the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) on local applications, and be included in design review committees on larger projects affecting our community. The following issues have been considered by the CPN Zoning Committee in recent months. 780 S. 52nd: The application for the conversion of the former Apple Storage building to loft apartments was granted by the ZBA. CPN launched a successful campaign to document community support for this application which was submitted to the ZBA. 800 S. St. Bernard: The application for conversion to a three family dwelling was granted by the ZBA, following a compromise submitted to the ZBA by the applicant to eliminate all proposed additions. CPN supported neighbors in objecting to the application, advocating for a single family or duplex and made a strenuous objection to the proposed additions. 503 S. 52nd: Application for a take-out certificate for a coffee shop and internet café was granted. Upon notification of nearby residents and businesses, CPN entered a position of No Objection.
5027 Baltimore: An application for a takeout certificate for proposed gourmet hot dog/sandwich business with four dwelling units in an existing structure is pending a June 13th ZBA hearing. CPN sought a continuance at an April 11th ZBA hearing to allow for notification to nearby neighbors, and received no notice of objection. The applicant withdrew a proposed addition to the 3rd floor. CPN entered a position of No Objection. 4610 Cedar: CPN continues to monitor interest by a local Philadelphia business about possible use of the space for an ice cream parlor. No application for a use variance has been submitted at this time. 4907 Catharine: Application for a take-out certificate for a counter-service vegetarian café with smoothie bar is pending at a July 13th ZBA hearing. CPN will notify nearby residents and businesses. 5114 Hazel: An application is under review by the Zoning Committee for conversion of a single family house to a triplex. Neighbors were notified about an opportunity to meet with the developer prior to a ZBA hearing on July 18th. 5033 Baltimore: An application seeks legalization of four apartments. No ZBA hearing has been set to date. The Committee is clarifying the application and will conduct notification of neighbors. 5016 Walton: An application to legalize a two-family dwelling is pending a July 18th hearing. CPN notified neighbors and heard no objection. CPN will enter a position of No Objection. 4618 Cedar: An application to legalize new signage was granted by the ZBA despite community and CPN objection. The CPN Zoning Committee generally meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. If you have questions about any of these issues or are a CPN member interested in serving on the committee please contact the committee at contact@cedarparkneighbors.org
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CPN Newsletter
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Farm 51: It Doesn’t Get Any More Local Than This! By Vanessa Jerolmack ello friends and neighbors! The season H is officially “on” at Farm 51, the farm stand located on the corner of Chester Avenue and 51st Street. Come on down and purchase organic veggies, herbs and eggs raised on-site at Farm 51, along with produce grown by yours truly in my backyard site at 5019 Baltimore Avenue. Farm 51 is a great little place that everyone should visit. In the empty lot where two houses once stood, a beautiful farm, complete with winding paths and veggies stuffed into every nook now thrives. Farmers Andrew and Neal have created a special place which reminds us that we can have it all — city living mixed with country charm. Bring the kids over to meet
the family of chickens and their buddies, the bunnies and the duck. Pick up the latest veggies that are in season and take home a dozen multi-colored eggs. I hope to see you at the stand one of these Thursdays between 4:30 and 7 p.m.
Visit farmers Andrew and Neal at Farm 51. Thursdays, 4-7 p.m.
You can also check out the website: farm51.wordpress.com/.
CONGRATULATIONS! MARIPOSA RIBBON CUTTING State Representative Jim Roebuck, Patricia Smith of The Reinvestment Fund, Congressman Chaka Fattah and Chief Operating Officer of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce Kevin Dow help cut the ribbon at Mariposa Food Coop’s Grand Opening on April 21st.
June 2012
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Taking Steps Toward a Green Footprint: Greening Lea Elementary By Julie Scott he Greening Lea initiative, begun T through a combined effort of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools (WPCNS) and the Enterprise Center, has taken a big step forward. On May 10th, the Community Design Collaborative, the AIAPhiladelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Philadelphia Water Department hosted a design charrette and public presentation to explore creating greener schoolyards in Philadelphia. One of the two schools of focus was Henry C. Lea Elementary School, with its large expanse of asphalt at the corner of 47th and Spruce. The day began with an overview of Philadelphia initiatives to improve schoolyards and Greenfield Elementary School’s successful sustainable schoolyard project. Next, the charrette placed Lea students, staff, teachers and community members, alongside designers and representatives from the Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia City Planning Commission and the School District onto two teams for brainstorming and discussion. The charrette drew record-high participation from the Philadelphia design community. The teams came up with terrific ideas in a short period of time. It was great to see the collaboration between the design professionals, the school/ community partners, city agencies, and resource advisors. Later in the afternoon, the teams presented their concepts to an audience of well over one hundred people. The Lea teams came up with remarkably similar ideas about how to transform the
yard. The primary suggestions offered by both teams were establishing the school yard as the main entrance, sectioning the yard into a series of outdoor rooms, developing edges to address stormwater issues and create entrances, solving problems like dumpster placement and reinforcing the identity of Lea. Team designer Jen Martel of WPCNS said, “We considered how the schoolyards could become valued community assets that are populated by individuals, families and community groups when school is not in session. This took the form of modifying existing fences and walls to make the schoolyards more welcoming, creating gateways, and re-thinking the school’s main entrances.” The next step is for a volunteer design team from the Community Design Collaborative to synthesize the ideas from the charrette into a schoolyard master plan which will include recommendations for phasing and an estimate of probable cost. The master plan report will allow the Lea community to raise funds, develop designs and make the vision a reality.
CEDAR PARK NEIGHBORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meet the directors and officers voted in at CPN’s Annual Meeting and Election held April 23, 2012. Back row: Meg Ferrigno, David Hincher, Ana Lisa Yoder, Lisa Johanningsmeier, Sean Dorn, Michael Froehlich, Algernong Allen, Dorothy Welch Berlind Page 8
CPN Newsletter
and Monica Allison. Front row: Ray Murphy, Saba Tedla, Marcus Presley, Sara Nissley, and Karen Allen. Not pictured: Mahari Bailey, Laurie Friedman, Theresa McCole Manzi, Shawn Markovich, Beverly Rouse, Mavil Spense, Courtney Walton.
Maurice Jones presents his team’s ideas for greening the asphalt playground at Lea Elementary School.
Play on, Philly! Flourishes at St. Francis de Sales School lay On, Philly! (POP) is the innovative P music education program that has landed right here in our own neighborhood at St. Francis de Sales School. Inspired by the social development and music education program of Venezuela, El Sistema, POP seeks to enrich the lives of Philadelphia youth by providing daily musical instruction in communities which have little access to music education. (learn more on www.PlayOnPhilly.org) Established in 2011 at St. Francis de Sales School by local musician and POP Executive Director, Stanford Thompson, the program involves 110 youth ages six to thirteen, this in a school with a total enrollment of 521. In just a short time, the St. Francis de Sales Play On, Philly! orchestra has burst on to the Philadelphia music scene with much acclaim. The children are taught by first class musicians and have had opportunities to perform with renowned conductors and work with a number of visiting artists. In recent months they welcomed the great jazz musician, Wynton Marsalis, who performed for the children and conducted a master
class with some orchestra members. The highlight of their concert season was an opportunity to perform with none other than our Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center on May 10 with famed guest conductor, Sir Simon Rattle. The YouTube video of this special performance is not to be missed and can be accessed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_CNz9Vrtk.
Wynton Marsalis with Stanford Thompson, POP Executive Director, and 6th grade trumpet players Andre Rollins and Azhane Christian-Clyburn in the Play On, Philly! Orchestra at St. Francis de Sales
Young Peacemakers Honored at de Sales Annual School Assembly ebediah Coombs, left, the 2012 St. Z Francis de Sales Peace Medal winner, joined Peacemakers from previous years below the “New Kind of Hero...” slogan. The medal was awarded at the 20th annual Peacemaker Assembly on May 10th, 2012. The De Sales Peace Program has been nationally recognized (by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, Washington, D.C. Consortium Schools, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Health Department, ING
Unsung Heroes, Teaching Pre-K to 8 magazine, St. Anthony magazine, etc.) as a model to replicate in every type of school environment. There is no written curriculum, but is a way of life in the school. It includes a Peace Wall, Peace Room and Peace Table, where students go to work out difficulties. Cedar Park Neighbors congratulates these students for their efforts to build peace at school and in our community!
Kudos to Our Young Mathematicians! In the national “First In Math” competition, involving 1.5 million students, De Sales School ranked #1 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, #2 in the state of Pennsylvania and #3 in the nation! Congratulations!
Zebediah Coombs, left, the 2012 de Sales Peace Medal winner, with Peacemakers from previous years June 2012
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Check Out What’s Happening in the CPN Scholarship Corner! by Laura McHugh, CPN Scholarship Committee his year’s annual scholarship fundraiser, T held on Sunday, March 25th at Dock Street Brewery, was once again a rousing success! With nearly 100 people in attendance and thousands of dollars raised, CPN would like to offer a special thanks to Rosemarie and her team at Dock Street, as well as all of the businesses and neighbors that continue to support this annual event through ticket sales and/or auction donations, year after year. Please check out our full list of supporters! Supporting CPN Scholarship Committee events like the annual Dock Street fundraiser is critical to raising scholarship funds for students like Hahn Nguyen, a freshman at Temple University, and one of our current CPN scholarship recipients. Here’s what Hahn has to say about what the scholarship has meant to her this first year: “The famous Sir Isaac Newton once said, ‘If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants.’ This saying perfectly describes how grateful I feel towards the assistance and help I’ve received from Cedar Park Neighbors and their generous scholarship. This year, I began to embark on my college journey. Before I even started, I was very stressed about how to pay for college, seeing as paying for high school was already difficult. I made my choice to go to Temple in part because of its lower tuition compared to many other colleges. My decision was finalized when I got accepted into their new Bachelor in Science Nursing program. Nursing, specifically neonatal nursing, has been my passion and dream job. However,
not only did I have to stress about paying for tuition and books, I was also required to buy nursing/medical supplies and uniforms for the program. I felt overwhelmed by the prices of the medical supplies, most of them being over a hundred dollars and more. But with the help of my Cedar Park Neighbors scholarship, I was able to pay for my Nursing books and some of the supplies such as the stethoscope, scrubs, and sphygmomanometer. I was always worried that my financial issues would prevent me from living my dream fully, but with this scholarship I have been able to begin my first steps into making my dream become reality. I have now finished my first year of college and survived the first year of Temple University’s nursing program. Although it has been a very difficult, stressful, and time consuming experience, I have enjoyed every minute of it. Through the first year of the program, I have learned to take patient’s blood pressure and interacted with senior citizens and children at various field work placements in the community. My passion for nursing has been further ignited and I can’t wait to start my clinicals next semester. I would like to once again thank everyone involved in the Cedar Park Neighbors scholarship committee for helping me be able to live these wonderful experiences I’ve had this past year at Temple University.”
Firehouse Bicycles Gold Standard Green Line Café Harvard Children’s Academy House of Our Own Books Lee’s Deli Liz Campion Longwood Gardens Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Nat’l Constitution Center New Deal Lumber and Millwork Company Nigerian African Grocery Phila Federal Credit Union
There is still time to support scholarships for Hahn and others in 2012-2013! Make a donation through the CPN website or send a check to CPN marked “Scholarship.”
Sincerely, Hahn Nguyen More information about the Scholarship Program can be found at www.cedarparkneighbors.org. Questions? Please call CPN at 267-531-4147 or email scholarships@cedarparkneighbors.org.
Many thanks to our Scholarship Fundraiser Business Supporters… Aksum Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods Atlantic Medical Specialty Baltimore Ave Pet Shoppe Bartram Gardens Bed Bath & Beyond Boost Market DBA Little Home Repairs Desi Village Dock Street Brewery East Smithfield Healthcare Eastern State Penitentiary Elena’s Showcase Lounge
Scholarship recipients Dung and Hahn Nguyen at the Firehouse Fundraiser
Phila Museum of Art Phila Suzuki Piano Academy Studio 34 Sunray Drugs Talking Headz Tom Davis Pharmacy Tool Library of Philadelphia Vientiane Café Vietnam Café Vix Emporium Wake Up Yoga Wayne’s Garage West Philadelphia Locksmith Company Woodland Building Supply
And to these individual donors!! Diane Bezella Darryl Bundridge Dr. Gerard Davis Kitakiya Dennis James Donley Bruce Dorpalen Agnes Dumas Johanna Fine Claudia Hamilton Emily Hirshorn Hillary Kane George Karpyn Richard Keiser Peggy and Todd Kovich Judyann McCarthy
Dr. Alice Moyer Amy Myers Representative James Roebuck Lola Rooney Beverly Rouse Jen Smith Maureen Tate and Gerald McHugh Senator Anthony Williams Nancy Wygant Mary Yee
June 2012
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Going Postal to Preserve Our History his year, the University City Historical T Society (UCHS) has created an Endangered Properties List, a document formed in order to raise awareness about significant historic structures in West Philadelphia threatened by demolition, misuse, or neglect. This list intends to extol the aesthetic, historic, and cultural value of these sensitive properties and to influence lawmakers and other parties to involve themselves with preservation efforts in the West Philadelphia region. The properties were selected via a community survey. A large number of initial nominees were eventually narrowed down to the 10 most significantly damaged and historically important properties. To further the efforts to place these buildings in the public eye, a series of postcards have been created. Each postcard cover features a building or group of buildings from the Endangered Properties list. On the back, the postcards are addressed to the current caretakers and lawmakers involved with the future of each specific building. Additionally, a pre-printed message urges these parties to act as soon
as possible to prevent further neglect and collapse of these important structures in our community. There is also space on the card for you to add your own issues and concerns. By advocating new life for these buildings, UCHS hopes to reinstate their importance in our neighborhoods and to help their architectural splendor shine as when they were newly built. In this way, the stones of our community’s past will not be forgotten, but rather used on our pathway to the future. Top Ten Endangered Properties List Church – Southwest Corner of 47th & Kingsessing Homes – 1103-05 S. 47th Street (47th & Chester) Home – 722 S. 49th Street The Rotunda – 4014 Walnut Street Hawthorne Hall – 3849 Lancaster Avenue Church – 42nd and Chestnut Church – 3727 Baring Street Church – 40th Street M.E. Home – 4224 Spruce St. (twin of the UC Arts League) Home – 3415 Hamilton Street (Mae Caleb House)
Mail one of the postcards found in this newsletter, and look for more at local restaurants, churches, historical buildings and other locations near you. For more information, contact info@uchs.net.
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Free Dental Care: Nation of Smiles, One Smile at a Time Sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell n Saturday, June 23, 2012, my office O in the 3rd District will sponsor the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and AGD Foundation’s Outreach Program: “Nation of Smiles, One Smile at a Time.” This event will provide free dental care to hundreds of local residents in need of treatment, and it will be hosted at the U. of Pa. Dental School, located at 240 S. 40th St. (40th and Spruce Streets) from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are requesting your help with identifying patients who would benefit from this free care. Please contact us if there are shelters or groups with which you work that assist individuals who are in need of dental care. We anticipate that AGD member volunteer dentists will provide treatment to approximately 600 patients throughout the course of the day.
Please be advised that all patients, or their representatives, will need to contact my office prior to receiving treatment. Please contact my office to speak with Anjali Chainani at 215-686-2031 or send an email to: Anjali.Chainani@phila.gov to arrange for treatment scheduling. Time slots will be available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Please be advised that groups should arrive together on the day of the event to ensure that treatment is given in an efficient manner. Thank you very much for your assistance in improving the oral health of those in our community who are in need. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Jannie L. Blackwell
Get Ready for Detours: Route 34 Track Renewal Project in Progress is planning a Route 34 SWestEPTA Trolley Track Renewal Project in Philadelphia this spring and summer, according to their Community Update distributed in the neighborhood. The project is scheduled to run from May 19th to September 1st, 2012, and includes one pre-reconstruction and four reconstruction phases. Pre-reconstruction is scheduled for May 19th-June 15th and includes rail welding in advance of construction. Rails will be welded and stored along Baltimore Avenue at four locations — between 41st and 42nd streets, between 50th and 51st streets, between 54th and 55th streets, and between 58th and 59th streets. Trolley service will not be affected during this phase, but parking will not be permitted in the area where rails are stored, with a few exceptions. Phase I will take place from June 17th through July 7th and will include the reconstruction of both tracks between 40th and 42nd streets, beginning at 40th and progressing westward through completion of 42nd Street. During this phase, the entire two-block area on Baltimore Avenue will be closed.
Phase II is scheduled for July 1st August 4th and includes the reconstruction of tracks between 49th and 52nd Streets. Phase III is scheduled for July 29th - August 18th and includes the reconstruction of tracks between 54th and 55th streets. Phase IV includes the reconstruction of both tracks through the intersection of 58th Street and is scheduled for August 11th - September 1st. Throughout all phases, buses will replace trolley service from the 40th Street portal to the end of the line at 61st Street. All traffic, including buses, will be detoured around the active construction sites. All side streets in the affected construction areas will be closed to through traffic. Some of the existing tracks were installed as far back as the early 1980’2. The street structure supporting the tracks has deteriorated due to water leaks, traffic and the overall age of the street surface, which requires increased maintenance. During the reconstruction, SEPTA will excavate, renew and pave approximately 7,500 track feet in both directions. If you have any questions about this project, please call SEPTA Community Relations office at 215-580-7013.
Support CPN Business Members! A-1 Floor Refinishing African Cultural Center of PA Aksum Curio Theatre Company Dock Street Beer East Smithfield Healthcare Elena’s Soul Showcase Lounge Fresh Deli The Gables B&B The Gold Standard Cafe Mariposa Food Coop O'Donnell Real Estate Parallel Design Phila Federal Credit Union Prudential Fox & Roach Safdan Partners LLC Salt and Pepper Deli St. Francis de Sales Satellite Cafe Sims Giles and Associates Talking Heads Urban & Bye Realtors VIX Emporium Wake Up Yoga West Westside Community Day Care Wine and Spirit Store
June 2012
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Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal ● New Member
Name
Name
Address
Address
● Renewal ● Multi-year (max. 3 years) ● ● ● ● ●
# of years_____ $10 Individual $15 Household (2 persons or more) $ 7 Senior/Student/Unemployed $30 Business $40 Sponsor (one free CPN t-shirt!)
Additional contribution: (Write $ amount)
City, State, Zip Phone
Phone
_____ Holiday baskets _____ Scholarships _____ Jazz Series _____ Park _____ Other, specify _________________________ CPN t-shirt: (Write $ amount if not Sponsor and circle size)
_____ Short Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL,4XL, 5XL, 6XL ($15) _____ Short Sleeve Kids S, M, L, XL ($15) _____ Long Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL ($20) _________TOTAL ENCLOSED
● Yes, I would like to receive an email notice with
a link to the current newsletter on the CPN website (and do not deliver a paper copy to my home). Email Website Phone
membership@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
Return form with check to: Cedar Park Neighbors Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19143
Check your areas of interest for potential participation: ● Block Organizing: Maintain list of Block Leaders, organize forums, ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Review block grant applications and help awardees implement projects etc. Board of Directors: CPN leadership and decision-making body. Cedar Park Fair: Publicity, children’s activities, vendors, entertainment, etc. Cedar Park Garden Tenders: Plant and maintain gardens at Cedar Park. Education Committee: Interaction with local schools and parents on issues. Fundraising: Special events, grant writing. Holiday Baskets: Coordinate and assist distribution to needy Cedar Park families. Membership/Newsletter Committee: Promote membership to residents and businesses, Writing, publishing, photography and distribution of newsletter. Property/Housing Task Force: Strategize/respond to issues of deteriorated property. Scholarship Committee: Raise funds, promote program, and select awardees. Website: Technical support, maintenance, updating info/pictures etc. Zoning Committee: Monitor & communicate issues to residents; represent Cedar Park before Zoning Board of Adjustment. Cedar Park Neighbors is a 501[c]3 not-for-profit organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
March 2012
Page 15
c/o Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143
CPN Mission Statement: Cedar Park Neighbors is an association of diverse households and businesses based in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the association shall be to foster collaboration among all persons living and working in the Cedar Park neighborhood, to promote community development, to provide a forum for communication and community education, to respond to neighborhood concerns and to advocate for and promote the general welfare of the Cedar Park community. Newsletter Editors Maureen Tate & Judy Lamirand Newsletter Design Judy Lamirand, Parallel Design To Contact Cedar Park Neighbors or submit Newsletter items: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY Thanks to Algernong Allen & Elena’s Soul for sponsoring this issue of Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter.
CPN Board President
Michael Froehlich 1st Vice-President Monica Allison 2nd Vice-President David HIncher Treasurer Karen Allen Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Directors
Great Food. Great Drinks. Cedar Park's Neighborhood Bar. 4912 Baltimore Avenue
Page 16 CPN Newsletter
Algernong Allen Mahari Bailey Sean Dorn Margaret Ferrigno Laurie Friedman Lisa Johaningsmeier Theresa McCole Manzi Shawn Markovich Ray Murphy Sara Nissley Marcus Presley Beverly Rouse Mavil Spence Saba Tedla Courtney Walton Ana Lisa Yoder